Editing: 2018 Brazilian general election

# 2018 Brazilian General Election

The **2018 Brazilian general election** was a pivotal presidential and congressional election held on October 7 and 28, 2018, that brought far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro to power as Brazil's president. The election marked a dramatic shift in Brazilian politics, ending 13 years of Workers' Party (PT) governance and ushering in the most conservative administration since the country's return to democracy in 1985.

The election took place against a backdrop of severe economic recession, widespread corruption scandals, and deep political polarization. With former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva barred from running due to corruption convictions, the traditional political establishment faced an unprecedented challenge from outsider candidates promising radical change.

## Electoral System and Timeline

Brazil's presidential election operates under a two-round system, requiring a candidate to win more than 50% of valid votes to avoid a runoff. The 2018 election featured 13 presidential candidates in the first round, with simultaneous elections for the National Congress, state governors, and state legislatures.

The first round on October 7 saw no candidate achieve an outright majority, leading to a runoff between the top two vote-getters: Jair Bolsonaro of the Social Liberal Party (PSL) and Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party (PT). The second round took place on October 28, with Bolsonaro winning decisively with 55.1% of the vote compared to Haddad's 44.9%.

Voter turnout reached 79.7% in the first round and 78.7% in the second round, reflecting high public engagement despite widespread disillusionment with traditional politics.

## Key Candidates and Campaigns

**Jair Bolsonaro** emerged as the frontrunner despite being a relatively obscure federal deputy from Rio de Janeiro. A former army captain, Bolsonaro built his campaign around anti-establishment rhetoric, promises to combat crime and corruption, and conservative social values. His campaign gained momentum through social media, particularly WhatsApp, where his supporters shared messages supporting his candidacy.

**Fernando Haddad**, the PT's replacement candidate after Lula's disqualification, struggled to distance himself from the corruption scandals that had engulfed his party. Despite Lula's endorsement and the PT's strong organizational machinery, Haddad faced an uphill battle against anti-PT sentiment that had been building since the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff in 2016.

Other significant candidates included Ciro Gomes of the Democratic Labour Party (PDT), who finished third with 12.5% in the first round, and Geraldo Alckmin of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), representing the traditional center-right establishment.

## Campaign Issues and Dynamics

The election was dominated by several key issues that reflected Brazil's deep social and economic challenges. **Public security** emerged as the top concern for many voters, with Brazil experiencing record-high homicide rates exceeding 60,000 deaths annually. Bolsonaro's hardline stance on crime, including support for police use of force and civilian gun ownership, resonated with voters frustrated by violence.

**Economic recovery** was another central theme, as Brazil was still recovering from its worst recession in history (2014-2016). The unemployment rate remained above 12%, and voters sought candidates who could restore economic growth and job creation.

The **corruption crisis** fundamentally shaped the electoral landscape. The massive Operation Car Wash investigation had exposed systemic corruption involving major political parties, state-owned enterprises, and construction companies. This created a strong anti-establishment mood that benefited outsider candidates like Bolsonaro.

**Social media and disinformation** played an unprecedented role in the campaign. WhatsApp became a primary platform for political messaging, with both campaigns using the app to reach voters directly. However, the election was also marked by the widespread circulation of false information, including fabricated news stories and manipulated images targeting various candidates.

## Election Results and Analysis

Bolsonaro's victory represented a seismic shift in Brazilian politics. His 55.1% to 44.9% victory over Haddad was decisive, but the results revealed a deeply divided country. Bolsonaro performed strongly in the South, Southeast, and Center-West regions, as well as in rural areas and among higher-income voters. Haddad maintained the PT's traditional strength in the Northeast and among lower-income voters.

The congressional elections also reflected this political realignment. Bolsonaro's PSL became the second-largest party in the Chamber of Deputies, growing from 1 to 52 seats. However, the fragmented nature of Brazil's party system meant that no single party held a majority, requiring Bolsonaro to build coalitions to govern effectively.

The election saw significant changes in state governments as well, with several traditional political strongholds changing hands. The results demonstrated voters' desire for change and their rejection of established political elites.

## International and Domestic Reactions

Bolsonaro's victory generated significant international attention and concern. His controversial statements about women, minorities, and environmental protection, combined with his praise for Brazil's military dictatorship (1964-1985), alarmed many international observers. Environmental groups expressed particular concern about his promises to reduce protection for the Amazon rainforest.

Domestically, the election results reflected and deepened existing social divisions. Bolsonaro's supporters celebrated what they saw as a victory against corruption and political correctness, while his opponents feared for the future of Brazilian democracy and human rights.

Financial markets initially responded positively to Bolsonaro's victory, hoping his pro-business rhetoric would translate into economic reforms. However, concerns about his governing capacity and policy coherence tempered long-term optimism.

## Historical Significance

The 2018 election marked several important firsts and changes in Brazilian politics. It was the first presidential election since redemocratization where neither the PT nor PSDB reached the second round, ending the dominance of these two parties that had alternated power since 1995.

The election also demonstrated the growing influence of evangelical Christians in Brazilian politics, as religious leaders played a crucial role in mobilizing support for Bolsonaro. Additionally, it highlighted the power of social media in modern political campaigns and the challenges posed by disinformation in democratic processes.

The results reflected broader global trends toward populist and nationalist politics, with Bolsonaro joining leaders like Donald Trump and others who had successfully channeled anti-establishment sentiment into electoral victory.

## Related Topics

- Jair Bolsonaro
- Workers' Party (Brazil)
- Operation Car Wash
- Brazilian political system
- 2014 Brazilian general election
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
- Brazilian military dictatorship
- WhatsApp and political campaigns

## Summary

The 2018 Brazilian general election resulted in far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro's decisive victory over Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad, marking a dramatic shift away from traditional politics amid economic crisis, corruption scandals, and deep social polarization.

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